This whole movie is a masterpiece! The best musical I have ever seen. I specially like this part because it shows how people of different ethnicities are naturally the same and born in peace with each other, Yet the same people are used as tools for wars that neither of them started...! To life, and the people who live it right!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, synonymous with harmony. The best musical ever. My first job was at The Golden Gate theatre in San Francisco. The year it premiered, I saw it about 100 times (1972?) Lol
So many of the comments I'm reading here are kind of Pollyannish---"Isn't it great that people of different ethnicity's can get along?" The subtext of the scene is the intense hatred that exists between these groups. The tension is palpable. Fifty years later the grandchildren of these Jews would be murdered, and many of the grandchildren of the Ukrainians would be serving the Germans as auxiliary police---many in death camps. Horror.
@@rickjohnson9558 glad I'm not the only one who sees that. They're not getting along, they're tolerating; which is far from the same thing. Tevye was ready to fight the dude who bumped into him!
@@my5head That isnt quite true. The Russians offer honest good wishes. The Jews are understandably afraid, but by the end of it, they are getting along. More or less. In the end, everyone knows diversity is a weakness. Unity is a strength. But tolerance is a possibility. Thats is why Tevye says 'I like it".
@@ceasarsaran8573 You're out of date, sir. DIVERSITY IS STRENGTH. NOT A WEAKNESS. Such statement of yours only feeds discrimination. Please examine yourself. Thank you.
I also know that joke: How is your brother-in-law in America? He's doing very well. Oh he wrote you No, not lately Then how do you know? If he was doing badly he would write.
Yeah they’re hilarious the whole soundtrack is actually very fun to sing to! I’ve been listening to the soundtrack for fun lately and it’s been great! This is one of my favorite songs! If I ever have a wedding I’m gonna have to play the song it is so fun. Perfect song for a wedding.
It was in the Ukraine. Russia didn't allow Jews to settle on the ethnic Russian territories so they were limited to the conquered territories of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (the so called Pale of Settlement).
OtherWorlds AllWorlds Russia conquered the territories of the the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth where Jews lived and tried to keep them them by using Pale of Settlement policies. In ethnic Russia Jews were not allowed.
I do have to feel bad for Lazarwolf, to be so happy then be told the weddings off. I like to think he eventually found joy with another (maybe older) wife
Proof that perspective about a movie changes over time. When I was younger I did not see things from his perspective. I was only happy for Tzeitel that she did not have to marry an older man that she did not love. But now as I approach my 50s I definitely feel much more empathy for Lazar Wolf. And yes I hope he found happiness in America.
I sang in this musical when I was in High School. Only now do I realize just how ingenious this score really is! This must be some of the best theatre music ever composed. Ever.
I played in the pit for our production of it. The music was a challenge but insanely fun. It is easily my favorite of the three musicals I played. Even Peter Pan seemed cheesy when compared to it.
I did this song in middle school theater. We had a lot fun rehearsing this song. Most of us were about to enter high school so this was our last hurrah together. The scene where we exited the tavern was even more hilarious. The guy playing the constable, who entered stage left, couldn't hold himself as he conversed with Tevye.
I saw our high school do this musical when I was in middle school and it is still one of the best stage productions I have seen! The singing, dancing, acting, pit, everything was wonderful onstage.
A bit of a late reply but we played the entire musical several years ago with our youth orchestra and the local high school choir. This part plus "If I were a rich man" were always my favourites (I play the trombone).
I love this scene because it shows that both groups can celebrate together, even when it is only for one evening. Their music and dance integrated in spite of the politics and war that goes on outside this tavern...... there is so much beauty in that. Although we do know ofcourse that (maybe the same) Cossacks will be burning houses and synagogues in the next pogrom.
Agreed, I've always loved scenes like this, though I wish the peace would last longer than one scene (especially in real life). But I love how it's like-- Cossacks: "We don't like you." Jews: "We don't like you more." Lazar Wolf: "I'm getting married!" Tevye: "To my daughter!" Jews: "Awesome! Let's all drink and sing together!" Cossacks: "A wedding?" *looks at each other* "We like weddings. Can we drink and sing with you?" Jews: "Sure! Let's dance too!" Cossacks: "Cool, thanks!"
@@nytemarequeen2365 They are not cossacks. And in the end, it was the "we dont like you" (on both parties) part that mattered... Drinking is nice, but it last just a little bit longer than this scene.
@@nytemarequeen2365, comedian-philosopher Irwin Corey hated this work. He said that the Cossacks didn't give anyone any warning -- they just showed up, murdered, and pillaged. Whitewashing them is like whitewashing Confederate "heroes."
Cossacks actually protected the jews in their midst as much as they could, but then out of sheer practicality just asked them to baptize their kids, and practice in secret. You can read about jewish Cossaks if you like. They are....a weird little group.
My favorite scene. I love to watch Russian men dance like this. The athleticism, endurance, entertaining precision moves, and how much they enjoy doing this is wonderful. I've watched what's called Virsky dancers on TH-cam. They are amazing.
We are doing this for the musical at my high school this year, we practiced the choreography for this scene for the first time today... all of us are in pain lol. But, this is my favorite song in the musical!!
What about that astounding Cossack tenor who comes in at 3:16 ?!! His voice is breathtaking ! I'd love to know who he was. It's a magnificent scene, and for me, his singing crowned it.
I also love the guy's voice. So breath taking. Ever since seeing that scene I've been searching for the name of the actor and I think I may have found him, his name is Sammy Dallas Bayes. He was the choreographer and dancer for several movies.
@Dindi 82 I can answer your question. Thats my uncle, Peter Johnston. I haven't heard from him since about 2016. My mum's brother born in Cumbria (England) in the 1930's moved to Cheshire probably about 1950, and ended up moving to London where he was a singer/dancer/actor all his life. I'm not sure if he's still alive. God bless you Uncle Peter.
@@rogfusionkid are you joking or is this real? How did you even find this comment especially so recently. Also why did they get an Anglo to play a Slav? I hope your uncle is still alive and sellz
I like how even though this is a celebratory song, the film still shows the tension between the Jews and the other russians. The actors playing the Jewish characters are clearly uncomfortable around the other russians, since at the time there were pogroms going on at other villages. And as it happened in this movie, it was only a matter of time before it reached their village too. Tevya on the other hand is too drunk, so he is completely uninhibited and unafraid.
@@CrazyLeiFeng Ethnic Russians lived all over the empire so there is a chance some of those men could have been Russian. Plus as a side note politically speaking they are all Russians to the outside world at that time.
@@owlfighter4377 It's time that ignorant Americans start to differentiate between Russian occupants (Muscovites) and the conquered nations of the Empire. Are Hindus or Sikhs or Africans called British? In may parts of the Empire the only Russians were bureaucracy, police and army.
I’m currently playing Mendel (the rabbis son) and so far this song is one of my favorites to learn and dance to, it have a good amount of challenge and it’s all welcome :D
Just finished up a run of the Jr Version As Mendel. This was one of my favorite scenes to practice & preform. The whole cast was great, and I’d gladly do it again. PS: Shout-Outs To All Those Mendel’s out there,either past or present. You are all amazing😊
funny story: I once went to a bachelor party, I was just outside the door when I heard the guys watching this, and I entered the exact same way the Russians did. the rest of that night I can't remember
I've been watching this movie for about 25 years and I know it inside and out. This never once occurred to me until now. Thank you for blowing my mind in the best of ways!
My mum loved this film. She and i watched this every year. She has died now. I can't watch this without bawling my eyes out. In one respect, I'm glad she didn't live to see what is happening now." May god bless you, and may we live together in peace."
This is was done so well. The different musical keys and styles to show the two disparate cultures. Lots of minor chords for the Jewish side, and lots of major chords for the gentile side. And the styles of dancing juxtaposed next to the other, and mixed with the other. I love this scene.
@@yahooyaboo439 oh sorry if I seemed incredulous, I genuinely don't know. Do you mean Jewish songs sound sad/somber which is associated with minor key?
@@seronymus To the West, the songs do tend to sound sad and somber, sure. But so does Eastern European and Balkan music. In Fiddler, the contrast between the two CHORDS really did a great job at separating the Jew from the Gentile styles. I love it.
@@yahooyaboo439 thank you. If it helps I am Orthodox and quite accustomed to Slavonic and Byzantine chant for example which can be both quite somber indeed ;) ever listened to it?
I was in a performance of this musical this whole song became a running joke because of how we loved it so much and with everything all I gotta say is TO LIFE
To life, to life, l'chaim. L'chaim, l'chaim, to life. Here's to the father I tried to be! Here's to my bride to be! Drink, l'chaim! To life, to life, l'chaim. L'chaim, l'chaim, to life. Life has a way of confusing us, Blessing and bruising us. Drink, l'chaim, to life! God would like us to be joyful, Even when our hearts lie panting on the floor. How much more can we be joyful When there's really something to be joyful for? To life, to life, l'chaim. To Tzeitel, my daughter. My wife. It gives you something to think about, Something to drink about. Drink, l'chaim, to life. (Mordcha! yes!! Hey Mordcha! Drinks for everyone! What's the big occassion? I'm taking myself a bride! Who's the lucky one? Tevye's eldest Tzietel!) To Lazar Wolf! To Tevye! To Tzeitel, your daughter! My wife! May all your futures be pleasant ones, Not like our present ones! Drink, l'chaim! To life, to life, l'chaim! (l'chaim) L'chaim, l'chaim, to life! It takes a wedding to make us say, "Let's live another day." Drink, l'chaim, to life! We'll raise a glass and sip a drop of schnappes In honor of the great good luck that favors you. We know that when good fortune favors two such men, It stands to reason we deserve it, too! To us and our good fortune. Be happy! Be healthy! Long life! And if our good fortune never comes, Here's to whatever comes. Drink l'chaim, to life! AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Za va, shas da rovia, Heaven bless you both! Nasdrovia! To your health ,and may we live together in peace. (Thank you) Za va, shas da rovia, heaven bless you both, Nasdrovia! To your health, and may we live together in peace. May you both be favored with the future of your choice! May you live to see a thousand reasons to rejoice! Za va, shas da rovia, heaven bless you both. Nasdrovia! To your health, and may we live together in peace!
Just shows how good the films were that year: French Connection, Clockwork Orange, Last Picture Show, Nicholas and Alexandria, and Fiddler. All five are great films, and I love them all.
Such a poignant scene. I have always loved this scene. The two cultures just celebrating together. I like to believe the idea is that some things transcend cultural bias and racial prejudices, and in this scene we see that no matter what your back ground everyone can celebrate peace and happiness. And, for one brief moment they forgot the outside world and, they were all just men flawed and decent. Thank-you so much helleri2 for posting this.
As Tevye said "hey! I like it!" In all honesty I love this scene cuz despite the Jews being scared of the Cossacks, but the Cossacks essentially go "hey we're Christians and you're Jews but we heard there was gonna be a wedding and *damnit WE'RE HAPPY FOR YOU AS WELL!* Let's celebrate together!"
Tbh, I normally watch this just to see the Russians dance at 3:20 And the music and footwork at 4:40 😱 is just *mwah 👌🏼 lol. I obsess over this everytime. Very motivational dance
I literally wore out the recording of the Zero Mostel performance as a small child. The first time I saw the movie when I was about 10 the ghost dream sequence traumatized me LOL. Still my favorite musical though followed closely by The Music Man.
i just love the beginning they slammed like 5 shots like its water. and then they start singing. like man they are pro, taking shots and just keep going not even needing a breath in between like damn if i did that like oh em gee
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF!! "To life" is an amazing joyful celebratory video. If you can't be happy watching this oh well you may never be. This video is uplifting.It is great fun! More importantly, it shows the great talent of the actors in this fantastic musical! I salute all of you!! Great show! Great movie! Great performance!
I love this song so much. If I ever get married, I want to play this song at my wedding! It is so fun to dance to. I love everybody’s singing voice and how it transitions from speaking to singing so smoothly! I love it it is so fun.
I've seen this movie 100 time growing up and still love it. Watching this clip now I just realized the butcher is built like a freakin' bull! Wowza. I wouldn't have broke an arragement wit dis guy.
My father, being an excellent tenor, had the roll of the Russian peasant who cuts through all the revelry with his long, sustained note. I was in third grade at the time and also a singer, since both of my parents were musicians. I decided that I would try and sing "that note" along with my dad while he practiced it at home. How he found time for such endeavors with eight kids I will never, ever know, but he pulled it off. Long story short, on my second try in singing "that note" my young voice quickly cracked and I went silent. My dad instantly knew that I had just given myself a bout of laryngitis. He quickly made me a cup of tea with honey and lemon. I could not sing for the next two weeks. This would have been around 1973. Here I am today, at the age of 61-years, and I can still sing in the Elton John/Billy Joel/Freddy Mercury range. Oh, and that note from the Russian peasant I can sing almost cold turkey, without warming up. The beauty of this movie is that it still inspires. Were it not for John Williams' score (his first Academy award, before his soundtrack for Star Wars) we might not have known the genius of it all.
My school was doing this play right before the Coronavirus quarantine crap. We practiced for months and we went into quarantine a month and a half before we were going to perform. I was going to be Fyedka, and I also was going to sing that part where the Russian soldier breaks into song out of nowhere. My drama teacher was proud that I was able to do the part without any experience.
So unfortunate that you weren't able to perform. Remain proud of your abilities and talent and you will go far in life. I hope the opportunity comes again for you to share your talent with us.
I'm today years old when I realized the Russian singer in the stage version is usually played by the same guy Chava married. Narratively speaking, it makes sense.
So wonderful!!! so great!!!! it is a movie packed of detail of knowledge and so tender..... I love all the whole movie, It is incredible and this sonh id full of details very importants for culture and describes very well the cultures.
This is the fun thing about musicals. Watching a scene where two old men go to a bar and get drunk wouldn't be fun. But with this ditty, fun dances, and Topol's voice, this is an amazing.
How did they pull off that dance routine with so many people and so much commotion in such a small space? It's a wonder there were no fatalities. Amazing scene all around. It's a bit cliche to say, but it is my favorite song in the entire film/play. When the brass comes in roaring @2:50 I get chills.
Reflecting on this song and part of the whole musical as well as reading the other comments, this song makes a beautiful centerpiece to everything that goes right and wrong with the rest of the musical. The entire musical plays with the evolving and ever changing of times and the place of tradition and it's ability to be upheld but also malleable. No matter the differences, or changes or challenges between people as human beings, we must understand when we are truly closest to god and appreciating "LIFE" itself, all boundaries tend to come down. Nothing else really matters, Traditions and values are upheld through life and love alone, what makes us flawed is the human politics and expectations. Everyone in this piece is happy for the sheer fact that there is something to be happy about and for that life is celebrated and nothing else, and when that is done peace is attainable, a small outreach for what truly matters " Good Fortune and Long Life, whether it's good or bad" is what they celebrate and in that turn, it brings them closer together. It's only when reality and a push of ideals/differences of the real world bares down that makes things "complicated". There are challenges with all his daughters that go to challenge Tevye in his viewpoint of whats important, and those that threaten his core values the most get dealt with in the most realistic way they can be with how life outside celebration can be and it can be a lot. From Comedy to Tragedy, I think importantly it evolves the show into a more complex appreciation that life has many evolution and challenges it may change to, but with love and appreciation for life, it doesn't change who we are at our core, children of god.
I think think think this peace of art in every possible way should exress the real relationship of two peoples living side by side!!!! That was for many years in Europe.!
I feel even worse at the wedding where that one dude makes the crack about him having everything but a bride Like, that was the second worst burn that evening
I absolutely love this scene and that it's the Christians who extend their congratulations and hand first. Of course since they're the ruling power in town they can afford to be benevolent when the mood strikes I doubt Tevye would have received a warm welcome had he invited them over but who knows. I do love that the message of the scene is that people are more apt to get along than not despite nationality or religion. People all want the same things it doesn't matter who they are or where they are from and all should be afforded happiness and life.
Or the non-Jewish (we have no clue if they're Christians in the true sense of the word) Russians are taunting them. I truly wish it is as you see it but war between Russia and Ukraine is starting to remind me of this movie and the background ie. the Russian Revolution.
@@SonshineLady7 I don't know I don't see any malevolent intent on the part of the Christians and since they live in that town they're Ukrainian just the same as Tevye and thr rest of the Jews. I understand with recent events that it could be seen that way and with the events that are going on in the time period of the film. But I like to see it as people despite where they are from, their religion or what they look like all want happiness and are happy when others are happy
@@flickchick710 How do you define "Christian?" Not being Jewish, Muslem, Hindu, etc. does not mean one is a Christian; neither does going to church. One of my clues of taunting in the movie is when the man stomps his foot and puts out his hand to Tevye with what I see as a defiant look. Orthodox Jews are not permitted to touch the "unclean" Gentiles. Tevye backs away and the man did another stomp/clap but louder. You can see that Tevye doesn't know what to do to avoid breaking the law or ignoring the man. He looks around for advice/support and the other Jews look just as confused as Tevye. Finally, Tevye very tentatively places two fingers on the fingertips of the non-Jewish Russian and the other non-Jewish Russians all laugh. Lazer Wolfe backs up to make it clear he's not going to dance with the man who approaches him and just claps and smiles. The non-Jewish group know they're putting the Jews on the spot....somewhat of a "face off" and who will win this contest. They do all end up dancing and having a good time but both groups have returned to their respective groups. I'm not sure if it's in this clip (going back to watch) but after the tavern dancing and Lazer Wolfe and Tevye emerge clearly drunk, the captain of the guard of the village is seen briefly, looking like he's thinking and contemplating
They are acting, as true healty peoples, in a normal word. Interpreting the God given reality. All good actors, and the whole crew, who made to be seen such an enchanding movie.
I love the choreography of this scene! Also, I like the tunics that the younger guys are wearing in this scene, they remind me of Luke Skywalker's iconic outfit in the first "Star Wars" film (I find that very sexy)! The redheaded guy in particular is very handsome! 😍
That's an exaggeration. By ~1900 Ashkenazi Jews were very heavily influenced by Slavic culture. From language to music to food to philosophy to you name it.
This is one of my favourite scenes of all of cinema. A brief moment of peace between the two peoples (with the Jews rightfully suspicious of the Christians at first, hinting at past pogroms) and then they each see/learn the other's dances, and then finally dance together, each in their own style. How I wish it was always this peaceful...
I love this scene. The music, singing and dancing are all impeccable,. like in many musicals of the era, but beneath the impeccable are the scene conveys the terror that the Jews feel dealing with the Russians. One wrong move can lead to Russian violence against the Jews, assault, better, burning Jewish home and even killing Jews. Ultimately even the ability of the local Russians to celebrate one Jewish wedding doesn't stop the Russian government from ordering an "incident" or ultimately expelling the Jews from their homes, and it's all foreshadowed here, in this tense yet lovable scene.
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This whole movie is a masterpiece! The best musical I have ever seen. I specially like this part because it shows how people of different ethnicities are naturally the same and born in peace with each other, Yet the same people are used as tools for wars that neither of them started...!
To life, and the people who live it right!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amen, amen, amen!
Imagine Zero Mostel being tevye in this movies
Yes, synonymous with harmony. The best musical ever. My first job was at The Golden Gate theatre in San Francisco. The year it premiered, I saw it about 100 times (1972?) Lol
I also like The King and I along with Oklahoma and My Fair Lady. Et Cetera, Et Cetera, Et Cetera lol.
Not really, put two hungry individuals in a room and a single bean and see them wage war.
Fighting is innate, while peace is a human construct.
This is the turn, this is exactly where it shifts gears from a comedy into a tragedy. And from a musical into a masterpiece.
So many of the comments I'm reading here are kind of Pollyannish---"Isn't it great that people of different ethnicity's can get along?" The subtext of the scene is the intense hatred that exists between these groups. The tension is palpable. Fifty years later the grandchildren of these Jews would be murdered, and many of the grandchildren of the Ukrainians would be serving the Germans as auxiliary police---many in death camps. Horror.
@@rickjohnson9558 glad I'm not the only one who sees that. They're not getting along, they're tolerating; which is far from the same thing. Tevye was ready to fight the dude who bumped into him!
@@my5head That isnt quite true. The Russians offer honest good wishes. The Jews are understandably afraid, but by the end of it, they are getting along. More or less. In the end, everyone knows diversity is a weakness. Unity is a strength. But tolerance is a possibility. Thats is why Tevye says 'I like it".
@@my5head but Tevye didn't! It may have been culturally taught, but he went the other way!
@@ceasarsaran8573 You're out of date, sir.
DIVERSITY IS STRENGTH. NOT A WEAKNESS.
Such statement of yours only feeds discrimination. Please examine yourself. Thank you.
proof that guys can dance together and it isn't awkward
As long as they're intoxicated enough, apparently.
Coral Roper
Well, yeah, but that’s always been true.
See also the Bottle Dance.
Wished we men still danced. I haven’t seen dancing since the early 80’s. A different world it is now!
@@fbnflaviusbroadcastingnetw6786 Toxic masculinity is a genuine threat to society.
“And if our good fortune never comes, here’s to whatever does” is now my life philosophy
🐈😺
Very wise.
Fiddler
Welcome to being a Jew
"I always wanted a son, but I always wanted one a little younger than myself."
Best joke in the entire movie.
Why is that a joke ?
I've always thought of it as a very good observance every father wants to have a son/ son in law who is younger than himself
@@juliereminiec4937 because normally the son is supposed to be younger that his father
guys chill, theyre jus drunk buddies joking bout their age
The butcher is older than Tevia.
I also know that joke:
How is your brother-in-law in America?
He's doing very well.
Oh he wrote you
No, not lately
Then how do you know?
If he was doing badly he would write.
Rest in perfect peace, Topol!
Thank you for making this great classic - you'll never be forgotten!
People said the same thing about the greatest move that was made over 70 years ago.
It's actually a brilliantly choreographed scene.
Ikr!! I wish I could dance this well!
one younger than myself! - funniest line almost ever on film anywhere , confirmed?
And the lyrics are hilarious.
Yeah they’re hilarious the whole soundtrack is actually very fun to sing to! I’ve been listening to the soundtrack for fun lately and it’s been great! This is one of my favorite songs! If I ever have a wedding I’m gonna have to play the song it is so fun. Perfect song for a wedding.
I probably don't expend that much energy in a week.
Russian #1: I don't remember anything from last night what did we do?
Russian #2: Oh nothing much we danced and sang with a bunch of Jews.
Yes, that’s exactly how it was! 😄
It was in the Ukraine. Russia didn't allow Jews to settle on the ethnic Russian territories so they were limited to the conquered territories of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (the so called Pale of Settlement).
@@CrazyLeiFeng Thats Why Ukraine one of the most Jewish countries on Earth. I come from a part Cossack, possibly Jewish family.
OtherWorlds AllWorlds Russia conquered the territories of the the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth where Jews lived and tried to keep them them by using Pale of Settlement policies. In ethnic Russia Jews were not allowed.
OtherWorlds AllWorlds
Russian politically, Ukrainian ethnically.
I do have to feel bad for Lazarwolf, to be so happy then be told the weddings off. I like to think he eventually found joy with another (maybe older) wife
Proof that perspective about a movie changes over time. When I was younger I did not see things from his perspective. I was only happy for Tzeitel that she did not have to marry an older man that she did not love. But now as I approach my 50s I definitely feel much more empathy for Lazar Wolf. And yes I hope he found happiness in America.
I've often thought that he and Yente would have made a perfect couple. If she ever decided to quit the matchmaking business, anyway.
Frumah Sarah comes to him in a dream and snatches him to the Jewish afterlife
Same
I like that at the end he and Tevye seem to have made peace
My daughter just got engaged and this song is helping me to celebrate it! I love it!
MAZEL TOV!!!
ALCOHOL , UNITING US FOR OVER 10.000 YEARS :)) And 40 years after this movie we still drink ... TO LIFE! :)
Shit, this came out almost 50 years ago, and it's still the best musical adaptation so far
@@anthonymedina9425 true
ALCOHOL THE ANSWER AND CAUSE FOR ALL LIFES PROBLEMS
My drink is Weed. It’s what cures cancer instead of causing it. L’chaim!
TO LIFE!
I sang in this musical when I was in High School. Only now do I realize just how ingenious this score really is! This must be some of the best theatre music ever composed. Ever.
I played in the pit for our production of it. The music was a challenge but insanely fun. It is easily my favorite of the three musicals I played. Even Peter Pan seemed cheesy when compared to it.
The genius that is John Williams.
I did this song in middle school theater. We had a lot fun rehearsing this song. Most of us were about to enter high school so this was our last hurrah together.
The scene where we exited the tavern was even more hilarious. The guy playing the constable, who entered stage left, couldn't hold himself as he conversed with Tevye.
I saw our high school do this musical when I was in middle school and it is still one of the best stage productions I have seen! The singing, dancing, acting, pit, everything was wonderful onstage.
A bit of a late reply but we played the entire musical several years ago with our youth orchestra and the local high school choir. This part plus "If I were a rich man" were always my favourites (I play the trombone).
My mom got me into loving this movie ...grateful I am for this rich exposure! Uggh and what they sell nowadays as art....wow just wow
My fifth grade showed us this movie and it was an instant fave of mine
“When good fortune favours two such men it stands to reason we deserve it, too”- absolutely epic passive-aggressive insult-compliment there.
I don't get it
@@seronymusif fortune blessed these guys, then we must deserve it too.
Basically calling them lesser.
I love this scene because it shows that both groups can celebrate together, even when it is only for one evening. Their music and dance integrated in spite of the politics and war that goes on outside this tavern...... there is so much beauty in that. Although we do know ofcourse that (maybe the same) Cossacks will be burning houses and synagogues in the next pogrom.
Agreed, I've always loved scenes like this, though I wish the peace would last longer than one scene (especially in real life). But I love how it's like--
Cossacks: "We don't like you."
Jews: "We don't like you more."
Lazar Wolf: "I'm getting married!"
Tevye: "To my daughter!"
Jews: "Awesome! Let's all drink and sing together!"
Cossacks: "A wedding?" *looks at each other* "We like weddings. Can we drink and sing with you?"
Jews: "Sure! Let's dance too!"
Cossacks: "Cool, thanks!"
@@nytemarequeen2365 They are not cossacks. And in the end, it was the "we dont like you" (on both parties) part that mattered... Drinking is nice, but it last just a little bit longer than this scene.
@@nytemarequeen2365, comedian-philosopher Irwin Corey hated this work. He said that the Cossacks didn't give anyone any warning -- they just showed up, murdered, and pillaged. Whitewashing them is like whitewashing Confederate "heroes."
Those are not cossacks by any means. However the cossacks did hat the jews with a burning passion.
Cossacks actually protected the jews in their midst as much as they could, but then out of sheer practicality just asked them to baptize their kids, and practice in secret. You can read about jewish Cossaks if you like. They are....a weird little group.
The Russian squat dance is really really hard.
night040 incredible hard.
Cossack Dance*
Hopak/Prisyadka*
But it’s worth it
@@leonlinton634 Correct, they were Ukrainians, not Russians.
notice Topol (Tevye) is the only one who says l'chaim alone because he is the only one can pronounce it correctly.
😢😢😢😢
My favorite scene. I love to watch Russian men dance like this. The athleticism, endurance, entertaining precision moves, and how much they enjoy doing this is wonderful. I've watched what's called Virsky dancers on TH-cam. They are amazing.
I will make all my daughters boyfriends learn this song, so that if they ask to marry my daughter and I say yes, we have to do this
Have they learned this song now?
@@shashwatjoshi3123, not yet
Step one: Have daughters
@@johannschmidt3389 oh. Sorry😂
YES! XD
@@johannschmidt3389 so how’s it gone so far?
Amazingly, this song and dance number was filmed in one take!
That’s impressive!
Really?! Wow!
OMGGGGGG😨😨😨😨😨
It can’t be because of all the different angles. Even if they used multiple cameras, you’d be able to see them from the reverse shots
Wait really?! This is one of the most flawless scenes I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching !
We are doing this for the musical at my high school this year, we practiced the choreography for this scene for the first time today... all of us are in pain lol. But, this is my favorite song in the musical!!
😢😢😢😢😢😢
What about that astounding Cossack tenor who comes in at 3:16 ?!! His voice is breathtaking ! I'd love to know who he was. It's a magnificent scene, and for me, his singing crowned it.
I also love the guy's voice. So breath taking. Ever since seeing that scene I've been searching for the name of the actor and I think I may have found him, his name is Sammy Dallas Bayes. He was the choreographer and dancer for several movies.
@Dindi 82 I can answer your question. Thats my uncle, Peter Johnston. I haven't heard from him since about 2016. My mum's brother born in Cumbria (England) in the 1930's moved to Cheshire probably about 1950, and ended up moving to London where he was a singer/dancer/actor all his life. I'm not sure if he's still alive. God bless you Uncle Peter.
@@Rylosalex No you made a mistake, see my post.
@@rogfusionkid
Ah, thank you for the correction
@@rogfusionkid are you joking or is this real? How did you even find this comment especially so recently. Also why did they get an Anglo to play a Slav? I hope your uncle is still alive and sellz
Always cracks me up in the beginning when the chorus sings a toast to lazer wolf and tevya sings a toast to himself.
lol I've seen this movie so many times n never noticed til you pointed it out. Hilarious
God bless you, Chaim Topol. Loved this movie when it came out in the early 70's, and finally understood to 30 and 40 years later.
I like how even though this is a celebratory song, the film still shows the tension between the Jews and the other russians. The actors playing the Jewish characters are clearly uncomfortable around the other russians, since at the time there were pogroms going on at other villages. And as it happened in this movie, it was only a matter of time before it reached their village too.
Tevya on the other hand is too drunk, so he is completely uninhibited and unafraid.
Ukrainians. There were no Jewish villages in ethnic Russia.
@@CrazyLeiFeng Ukraine was still apart of the Russian Empire in 1905 the time Fiddler on the Roof and both Russia and Ukraine are Eastern slavs
@@thorpeaaron1110 Ukrainians are Slavs. Russians are mostly not of Slavic descent although they acquired a dialect of Old Bulgarian.
@@CrazyLeiFeng Ethnic Russians lived all over the empire so there is a chance some of those men could have been Russian. Plus as a side note politically speaking they are all Russians to the outside world at that time.
@@owlfighter4377 It's time that ignorant Americans start to differentiate between Russian occupants (Muscovites) and the conquered nations of the Empire. Are Hindus or Sikhs or Africans called British? In may parts of the Empire the only Russians were bureaucracy, police and army.
My high school is doing this play in May, I'm only the Rabbi's son but this song has been a joy to learn and to sing with everyone participating
We only have one rabbi, and the rabbi only have one son, why shouldnt a girl want the best?
Hope you enjoyed it! I was blessed to play Tevye when my high school performed this way back in '05.
I’m currently playing Mendel (the rabbis son) and so far this song is one of my favorites to learn and dance to, it have a good amount of challenge and it’s all welcome :D
Just finished up a run of the Jr Version As Mendel. This was one of my favorite scenes to practice & preform. The whole cast was great, and I’d gladly do it again.
PS: Shout-Outs To All Those Mendel’s out there,either past or present. You are all amazing😊
Mazel tov
This is one of the best musical scenes in history
funny story: I once went to a bachelor party, I was just outside the door when I heard the guys watching this, and I entered the exact same way the Russians did. the rest of that night I can't remember
Calvin the Patriot
Lol!
Please tell me you made your entrance complete with kazachok dancing! :D
Just assume it went down like this and you'll have a good memory.
They were Ukrainians, not Russians. Russia didn't allow Jews.
KeyboardWarrior at the time, Russia ruled over Ukraine.
I like the bit of iorny of the butcher and milkman joining families.
Not really kosher, is it?
@@Treebard nope 😂
Same. Not kosher at all.
That’s the point. Milk and meat in combination is not kosher and therefore it foreshadows the match falling apart
I've been watching this movie for about 25 years and I know it inside and out. This never once occurred to me until now. Thank you for blowing my mind in the best of ways!
How I wish we all live in a world of peace, regardless of race and religion especially!
keep wishing
Just finished performing this play, absolutely loved singing this song as Lazar Wolf. Such a good musical.
Mazel tov on the role & a successful performance
My mum loved this film. She and i watched this every year. She has died now. I can't watch this without bawling my eyes out. In one respect, I'm glad she didn't live to see what is happening now." May god bless you, and may we live together in peace."
Watching this brings back good memories of performing this onstage, I got to play the part of the Russian Captain who sings the solo
Only the very fit and young can dance like that. They make it look so easy. It's hard.
Only professional dancers can dance like this.
@@ceasarsaran8573
Folk dances like the hopak probably did not originate with professional dancers
Grandma loved this movie! Said it was just like when she was growing up
Lazar Wolf's reaction has always been my favorite
"Yes that's very nice-- Oh shi-!
This is was done so well. The different musical keys and styles to show the two disparate cultures. Lots of minor chords for the Jewish side, and lots of major chords for the gentile side. And the styles of dancing juxtaposed next to the other, and mixed with the other. I love this scene.
How is minor Jewish while major Gentile
@@seronymus Do you not agree that typically "Jewish" songs are done in a minor key? If we can't agree on that then I'll bow out now.
@@yahooyaboo439 oh sorry if I seemed incredulous, I genuinely don't know. Do you mean Jewish songs sound sad/somber which is associated with minor key?
@@seronymus To the West, the songs do tend to sound sad and somber, sure. But so does Eastern European and Balkan music. In Fiddler, the contrast between the two CHORDS really did a great job at separating the Jew from the Gentile styles. I love it.
@@yahooyaboo439 thank you. If it helps I am Orthodox and quite accustomed to Slavonic and Byzantine chant for example which can be both quite somber indeed ;) ever listened to it?
I was in a performance of this musical this whole song became a running joke because of how we loved it so much and with everything all I gotta say is TO LIFE
To life, to life, l'chaim.
L'chaim, l'chaim, to life.
Here's to the father I tried to be!
Here's to my bride to be!
Drink, l'chaim!
To life, to life, l'chaim.
L'chaim, l'chaim, to life.
Life has a way of confusing us,
Blessing and bruising us.
Drink, l'chaim, to life!
God would like us to be joyful,
Even when our hearts lie panting on the floor.
How much more can we be joyful
When there's really something to be joyful for?
To life, to life, l'chaim.
To Tzeitel, my daughter.
My wife.
It gives you something to think about,
Something to drink about.
Drink, l'chaim, to life.
(Mordcha! yes!!
Hey Mordcha!
Drinks for everyone!
What's the big occassion?
I'm taking myself a bride!
Who's the lucky one?
Tevye's eldest Tzietel!)
To Lazar Wolf! To Tevye!
To Tzeitel, your daughter!
My wife!
May all your futures be pleasant ones,
Not like our present ones!
Drink, l'chaim!
To life, to life, l'chaim! (l'chaim)
L'chaim, l'chaim, to life!
It takes a wedding to make us say,
"Let's live another day."
Drink, l'chaim, to life!
We'll raise a glass and sip a drop of schnappes
In honor of the great good luck that favors you.
We know that when good fortune favors two such men,
It stands to reason we deserve it, too!
To us and our good fortune.
Be happy! Be healthy! Long life!
And if our good fortune never comes,
Here's to whatever comes.
Drink l'chaim, to life!
AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
Za va, shas da rovia, Heaven bless you both! Nasdrovia!
To your health ,and may we live together in peace. (Thank you)
Za va, shas da rovia, heaven bless you both, Nasdrovia!
To your health, and may we live together in peace.
May you both be favored with the future of your choice!
May you live to see a thousand reasons to rejoice!
Za va, shas da rovia, heaven bless you both. Nasdrovia!
To your health, and may we live together in peace!
Just shows how good the films were that year: French Connection, Clockwork Orange, Last Picture Show, Nicholas and Alexandria, and Fiddler. All five are great films, and I love them all.
I think Fiddler should have taken best picture over French Connection
Such a poignant scene. I have always loved this scene. The two cultures just celebrating together. I like to believe the idea is that some things transcend cultural bias and racial prejudices, and in this scene we see that no matter what your back ground everyone can celebrate peace and happiness. And, for one brief moment they forgot the outside world and, they were all just men flawed and decent. Thank-you so much helleri2 for posting this.
Fiddler
As Tevye said "hey! I like it!" In all honesty I love this scene cuz despite the Jews being scared of the Cossacks, but the Cossacks essentially go "hey we're Christians and you're Jews but we heard there was gonna be a wedding and *damnit WE'RE HAPPY FOR YOU AS WELL!* Let's celebrate together!"
I wish I was named Lazarwolf.
😂
It's sounds like the name of 80s metal band. Laser Wolf!
This is a fabulous scene, because for a moment in time all these men have put aside their differences to drink, dance and celebrate life.
Tbh, I normally watch this just to see the Russians dance at 3:20
And the music and footwork at 4:40 😱 is just *mwah 👌🏼 lol. I obsess over this everytime. Very motivational dance
Also that guy switch thing always threw me off at 6:00
I literally wore out the recording of the Zero Mostel performance as a small child. The first time I saw the movie when I was about 10 the ghost dream sequence traumatized me LOL. Still my favorite musical though followed closely by The Music Man.
Love this Russian dance scene.. one of the best dance scenes ever, imo! And greatest musicals.
Hey 👋 how are you doing?
i just love the beginning they slammed like 5 shots like its water. and then they start singing. like man they are pro, taking shots and just keep going not even needing a breath in between like damn if i did that like oh em gee
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF!! "To life" is an amazing joyful celebratory video. If you can't be happy watching this oh well you may never be. This video is uplifting.It is great fun! More importantly, it shows the great talent of the actors in this fantastic musical! I salute all of you!! Great show! Great movie! Great performance!
I love this song so much. If I ever get married, I want to play this song at my wedding! It is so fun to dance to. I love everybody’s singing voice and how it transitions from speaking to singing so smoothly! I love it it is so fun.
from 3:16 to 4:53 - my favorite part of this scene. the singing, the dancing, the music ... all beautiful and so much fun to watch! Bravo!
i was in the orchestra for fiddler and i loved learning these songs
I've seen this movie 100 time growing up and still love it. Watching this clip now I just realized the butcher is built like a freakin' bull! Wowza. I wouldn't have broke an arragement wit dis guy.
I like this song and this movie. I could see it thousand times again...
The big bang theory season 1 episode 8
I had a girlfriend who hated fiddler - had is the meaning of this sentence.
You made a wise choice honestly
My father, being an excellent tenor, had the roll of the Russian peasant who cuts through all the revelry with his long, sustained note. I was in third grade at the time and also a singer, since both of my parents were musicians.
I decided that I would try and sing "that note" along with my dad while he practiced it at home. How he found time for such endeavors with eight kids I will never, ever know, but he pulled it off.
Long story short, on my second try in singing "that note" my young voice quickly cracked and I went silent. My dad instantly knew that I had just given myself a bout of laryngitis. He quickly made me a cup of tea with honey and lemon. I could not sing for the next two weeks. This would have been around 1973.
Here I am today, at the age of 61-years, and I can still sing in the Elton John/Billy Joel/Freddy Mercury range. Oh, and that note from the Russian peasant I can sing almost cold turkey, without warming up.
The beauty of this movie is that it still inspires. Were it not for John Williams' score (his first Academy award, before his soundtrack for Star Wars) we might not have known the genius of it all.
@@KariIzumi1 Indeed!
I love the energy in the song and the scene.
My school was doing this play right before the Coronavirus quarantine crap. We practiced for months and we went into quarantine a month and a half before we were going to perform. I was going to be Fyedka, and I also was going to sing that part where the Russian soldier breaks into song out of nowhere. My drama teacher was proud that I was able to do the part without any experience.
So unfortunate that you weren't able to perform. Remain proud of your abilities and talent and you will go far in life. I hope the opportunity comes again for you to share your talent with us.
Hope you got any roles since then
Fiddler on the roof
I'm today years old when I realized the Russian singer in the stage version is usually played by the same guy Chava married.
Narratively speaking, it makes sense.
this must have been so much fun to do this
Well... I can assure you, it took a lot of HARD Work!
Someone needs to make those Russian tunics a thing again.
A year later, and do you still want this? We may all be wearing them soon lol.
My son said wow where can I get one of those tunics ...I agree love the look
Norman Jewison, the most underrated movie director in Hollywood. Fiddler on the Roof, one of the best musicals ever made.
So wonderful!!! so great!!!! it is a movie packed of detail of knowledge and so tender..... I love all the whole movie, It is incredible and this sonh id full of details very importants for culture and describes very well the cultures.
Saw this on Broadway in this 70's. It was amazing! Jan Peerce played Tevye.
This is so iconic I absolutely love this song and I’m Italian and catholic 😂 it’s hora time after this
This is the fun thing about musicals. Watching a scene where two old men go to a bar and get drunk wouldn't be fun. But with this ditty, fun dances, and Topol's voice, this is an amazing.
Wow nobody has mentioned the goose bump producing voice of the russian soldier. WHAT IS HIS NAME> I cant find it anywhere
I wish I knew... What a VOICE!!!
@True Crime Accents are very hard to discern in a lot of music/singing. Sometimes, the accent is completely missing altogether.
He is Cossack.
Not Russian
Ukrainian, not Russian
3:16-4:14 best part ! Who is that singer? The song is AMAZING! Can’t get enough 🤟🏻🇷🇺❤️❤️❤️
How did they pull off that dance routine with so many people and so much commotion in such a small space? It's a wonder there were no fatalities. Amazing scene all around. It's a bit cliche to say, but it is my favorite song in the entire film/play. When the brass comes in roaring @2:50 I get chills.
my 15 year old son tobias loves this movie
ps... how do they do that after drinking Vodka
Laura Hughes They're Russian
The only way to do it.
only after drinking vodka can one dance so
@@seamuslandis8925 No, they are Ukrainians.
I can do it with some Pisco sours
Reflecting on this song and part of the whole musical as well as reading the other comments, this song makes a beautiful centerpiece to everything that goes right and wrong with the rest of the musical.
The entire musical plays with the evolving and ever changing of times and the place of tradition and it's ability to be upheld but also malleable. No matter the differences, or changes or challenges between people as human beings, we must understand when we are truly closest to god and appreciating "LIFE" itself, all boundaries tend to come down. Nothing else really matters, Traditions and values are upheld through life and love alone, what makes us flawed is the human politics and expectations. Everyone in this piece is happy for the sheer fact that there is something to be happy about and for that life is celebrated and nothing else, and when that is done peace is attainable, a small outreach for what truly matters " Good Fortune and Long Life, whether it's good or bad" is what they celebrate and in that turn, it brings them closer together.
It's only when reality and a push of ideals/differences of the real world bares down that makes things "complicated". There are challenges with all his daughters that go to challenge Tevye in his viewpoint of whats important, and those that threaten his core values the most get dealt with in the most realistic way they can be with how life outside celebration can be and it can be a lot.
From Comedy to Tragedy, I think importantly it evolves the show into a more complex appreciation that life has many evolution and challenges it may change to, but with love and appreciation for life, it doesn't change who we are at our core, children of god.
This Scene always makes me cry
I love the Comradeship in this number
We're doing this at my school and I'm hoping for either Lazar Wolf or Tevye.
How'd it go?
Did you?
How fun!!
I think think think this peace of art in every possible way should exress the real relationship of two peoples living side by side!!!!
That was for many years in Europe.!
Every time I watch this, I feel so bad for Lazar Wolff.
I feel even worse at the wedding where that one dude makes the crack about him having everything but a bride
Like, that was the second worst burn that evening
The greatest moment in musical theater.
I absolutely love this scene and that it's the Christians who extend their congratulations and hand first. Of course since they're the ruling power in town they can afford to be benevolent when the mood strikes I doubt Tevye would have received a warm welcome had he invited them over but who knows. I do love that the message of the scene is that people are more apt to get along than not despite nationality or religion. People all want the same things it doesn't matter who they are or where they are from and all should be afforded happiness and life.
Or the non-Jewish (we have no clue if they're Christians in the true sense of the word) Russians are taunting them. I truly wish it is as you see it but war between Russia and Ukraine is starting to remind me of this movie and the background ie. the Russian Revolution.
@@SonshineLady7 I don't know I don't see any malevolent intent on the part of the Christians and since they live in that town they're Ukrainian just the same as Tevye and thr rest of the Jews. I understand with recent events that it could be seen that way and with the events that are going on in the time period of the film. But I like to see it as people despite where they are from, their religion or what they look like all want happiness and are happy when others are happy
@@flickchick710 How do you define "Christian?" Not being Jewish, Muslem, Hindu, etc. does not mean one is a Christian; neither does going to church. One of my clues of taunting in the movie is when the man stomps his foot and puts out his hand to Tevye with what I see as a defiant look. Orthodox Jews are not permitted to touch the "unclean" Gentiles. Tevye backs away and the man did another stomp/clap but louder. You can see that Tevye doesn't know what to do to avoid breaking the law or ignoring the man. He looks around for advice/support and the other Jews look just as confused as Tevye. Finally, Tevye very tentatively places two fingers on the fingertips of the non-Jewish Russian and the other non-Jewish Russians all laugh. Lazer Wolfe backs up to make it clear he's not going to dance with the man who approaches him and just claps and smiles. The non-Jewish group know they're putting the Jews on the spot....somewhat of a "face off" and who will win this contest. They do all end up dancing and having a good time but both groups have returned to their respective groups.
I'm not sure if it's in this clip (going back to watch) but after the tavern dancing and Lazer Wolfe and Tevye emerge clearly drunk, the captain of the guard of the village is seen briefly, looking like he's thinking and contemplating
Live in peace ✌️ may you live a thousand 🙏 Reason to rejoice ❤
Probably the best use of the musical medium I’ve ever seen
They are acting, as true healty peoples, in a normal word.
Interpreting the God given reality.
All good actors, and the whole crew, who made to be seen such an enchanding movie.
Who else was creeped out by Tevya in the beginning before the color sorted itself out? hehe ^_^"
Fiddler on the roof
Best song of the entire show, I'm doing this musical at my school right now as a matter of fact :D
i have tears of happiness in my eyes of this scene… why cant we be like that?
I love how Tevye toasts to himself at 1:59
He’s happy.
love how the scene cuts off with the Russian officer toking it up. Amazing movie
I was singing this at the top of my lungs in the ghetto earlier tonight
That strikes me as an excellent night out!❤
I never saw this film. I never liked musicals. But this is beautiful. I came here because oh shalden but now I am definitely whatch the movie❤️
I've performed In Fiddler On the Roof Three Times! 'L'Chaim!'
I love the choreography of this scene! Also, I like the tunics that the younger guys are wearing in this scene, they remind me of Luke Skywalker's iconic outfit in the first "Star Wars" film (I find that very sexy)! The redheaded guy in particular is very handsome! 😍
I know. I was thinking if thats what they all looked like, I would really worry about my daughters going off with them.
It's pretty cool to see two COMPLETELY different cultures mix like this
That's an exaggeration. By ~1900 Ashkenazi Jews were very heavily influenced by Slavic culture. From language to music to food to philosophy to you name it.
Thumbs up if you came here because you like the musical and not because of Sheldon Cooper.
I did watch the sheldon cooper one afterwards though )
Sheldon Cooper?
I'm just here because this is a childhood memory of mine.
I AM WITH U BRO
Who?
No one will ever top Topol as Tevye.
This is one of my favourite scenes of all of cinema. A brief moment of peace between the two peoples (with the Jews rightfully suspicious of the Christians at first, hinting at past pogroms) and then they each see/learn the other's dances, and then finally dance together, each in their own style. How I wish it was always this peaceful...
Peace is a delicate dance.
Best scene and musical ever!!!!!
The very best song and choreography in the movie!
I love this scene. The music, singing and dancing are all impeccable,. like in many musicals of the era, but beneath the impeccable are the scene conveys the terror that the Jews feel dealing with the Russians. One wrong move can lead to Russian violence against the Jews, assault, better, burning Jewish home and even killing Jews. Ultimately even the ability of the local Russians to celebrate one Jewish wedding doesn't stop the Russian government from ordering an "incident" or ultimately expelling the Jews from their homes, and it's all foreshadowed here, in this tense yet lovable scene.
Funny how the movie never mentions the assassination of Russian government officials by Jewish revolutionaries.
I knew this before Sheldon so I sang along with him.
I grew up with this. Thank God.
Did Sheldon mention this song?